A driver who was under the influence of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite has been fined £1,000 and banned from the roads for two years.

Thirty-seven-year-old Lee James Harris also admitted possessing cocaine, found in his pocket, but claimed the jeans he was wearing had been given to him by a friend.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood fined him a further £300 for the cocaine possession.

Prosecuting advocate Annie Bannister told the court that Harris was driving a BMW on Douglas Promenade, on March 18, at 10.05pm.

Patrolling police had concerns about his speed, reported that he drove over a roundabout, and was tailgating.

They pulled him over and described Harris as having ‘pin-prick pupils’ and ‘jittery in appearance’.

He failed a roadside breathalyser test relating to alcohol, and a drug wipe test proved positive for cocaine.

A search found 0.1 grams of cocaine, valued by police at £10, in Harris’ pocket.

After being taken to police headquarters, a further breathalyser test produced a reading under the 35 limit.

However, a blood test later produced a reading of 240 for benzoylecgonine, which has a legal limit of 50.

When interviewed, Harris claimed the last time he had used cocaine had been at the weekend.

He said the cocaine found was not his and claimed the jeans he was wearing had been given to him by a friend.

He said: ‘I was just as surprised as the officer when it was found.’

Defence advocate Paul Glover said that the cocaine had been a small amount and asked for credit to be given for the defendant’s guilty pleas.

Deputy High Bailiff told Harris: ‘For that quantity of benzoylecgonine to still be in your system you must have had a substantial quantity.’

Harris, of Derby Square, Douglas, must also pay £125 prosecution costs and will pay at a rate of £100 per month.